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Chris Balestrini clocks first-place finish at Argentrail race in Chamonix

The 50K Canadian record holder is quickly earning a reputation for speed on the trails

Canadian 50K record holder Chris Balestrini of London, Ont., is preparing to run the challenging Sierre-Zinal, on Aug. 13–a 31 km trail race in Switzerland with more than 2,200m of elevation gain. On Sunday, he managed a first-place finish in 2:19:53  at Argentrail, a 27K race boasting 1,700m elevation gain, in the Argentière region of Chamonix, France.

Photo: Instagram/cbalestrini

Balestrini, a professional runner and medical student at Western University, moved to Canmore, Alta., in March of 2021 and hasn’t looked back. Formerly based only on the road and track, he says, “I’ve never felt more at home than I do in the mountains,” and decided to transition to trail racing. While Balestrini says he will race a fall marathon and adds, “I’m not quite done on the roads yet,” he has been focusing all his training on Sierra-Zinal, a race Kilian Jornet has won no fewer than seven times.

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Chris Balestrini (@csbalestrini)

Balestrini shared on social media about his Argentrail win, writing: “The race went out hot and I was around 10th one kilometre in. I slowly worked up the field and took the lead around 5k at the base of the first climb.” Argentrail is a loop course, and Balstrini led the field at the start of the second loop. “My legs were definitely feeling it on the second climb, but I stretched the gap out and descended back into the finish to claim the title,” he said.

Balestrini made a short-term move to Chamonix to train and climb while on a summer reprieve from medical school. “Chamonix is the hub for trail running, rock climbing and alpinism in Europe,” he says. “The people here, living and visiting, are so immersed in the outdoor lifestyle. It’s unlike any place I’ve ever been.”

Balestrini adds that he’s “looking forward to getting in some solid training over the next two weeks before a proper taper for Sierra-Zinal.”

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